Numbers 3:36Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The descendants of Merari included Mooli (Mahli) and Musi (Mushi). Their count was noted as six thousand two hundred males, starting from the month... They established their encampment to the north of the Tabernacle, tasked with carrying 'the pillars of the Tabernacle and its framework'. The sons of Merari symbolize the servitude embodied by the servant who received two talents, represent those who walk uprightly, echo the mission of the apostles, and reflect the divine beings in the heavenly realm.

When we examine this verse alongside Numbers 3:26, it becomes clear that the descendants of Gershon were assigned the care of the tabernacle, the curtain of the courtyard, and its ropes—specifically, those associated with the tabernacle. Meanwhile, the descendants of Merari were given responsibility for various elements, including their own ropes, referring particularly to the pillars of the courtyard. We emphasize this topic to revisit our earlier discussion about the Tabernacle in the introduction to Exodus 25, where we highlighted, based on the insights of Fergusson and Clarke, that the tabernacle was indeed a tent, rather than a flat-roofed box, as had been suggested in previous analyses, such as those by Dom Calmet.